Summoning Genius of Kizen - Chapter 72 'Ughhh…' Jessica, who had fallen to the ground amidst scattered bones, couldn't get up for a while. It was humiliating and embarrassing. She had gotten overly agitated by her opponent's actions, rushed into things, and ultimately resorted to martial arts, leading to this outcome. No, in fact, it was probably all part of her opponent's plan. With all her techniques blocked, all she could do was clench her fists and charge in like a moth to a flame. She was utterly defeated, both in skill and in psychological warfare. The skill gap was that vast. '…So, I'm going to the Lowest Squad now. Maybe it's for the best. The Upper Squad must be crawling with monsters like him.' As she sighed deeply, rationalizing her situation, Simon approached her. "Are you okay?" He knelt on one knee, offering a gentle smile and extending a hand. "…" Jessica stared blankly, alternating her gaze between Simon's outstretched hand and his smiling face. Then, suddenly. A rush of emotions welled up, and her eyes grew hot. "You, you…" "?" "You utterly rude, good-for-nothing bastard!" Jessica screamed, tears welling up. Simon flinched, pulling his head back. "Is the world just about you being great? Huh? You obviously ignore people! You win the match! And then you try to act all nice at the end? You evil jerk!" "Ah, no. I just…" "You're even worse! Waaah!" She sobbed uncontrollably as she ran out of the arena. Simon stared blankly for a moment at Jessica's retreating back. "Student." Just then, the referee approached. "Please step aside, as the next match is about to begin." "Ah, yes." Simon scratched his head with an embarrassed expression, then subtly asked the referee, "Um, was I perhaps a bit too harsh earlier?" The referee laughed heartily, as if to say, 'What are you talking about?' "That was very Kizen-like, wasn't it? It's been a while since I've seen such a refreshing match! Haha!" It was the first time the phrase 'very Kizen-like' had felt so unsettling. As Simon turned to leave, a female attendant wiping the floor quietly remarked, "Actually, it was a bit harsh." "…Haha." Simon covered his face with his palm. He had been so engrossed in his own situation that he hadn't considered the other person's feelings at all. '…I should go apologize to her personally tomorrow.' *** Now, only the midterms remained. The weekend, in particular, was hell. Following Dick's information, Simon went to queue for the library at 4 AM, only to find a crowd already lined up. After waiting two more hours, the library doors opened, and an incredible bottleneck ensued. Some students flew by treading on Jet Black or ran along the walls, while a few Necromancy majors even passed through walls using Spirit Form. All the seats were taken within 20 minutes, and Simon barely managed to secure a corner seat before it was too late. And then, study. Study. Study. During the exam period, the library was open 24 hours a day. He could focus solely on studying without any other distractions. Staying cooped up in the library, the weekend flew by like lightning, and the midterms began immediately. There were eight subjects to test on, with two subjects per day. Each exam lasted two hours. "Number 8, option 2!" "Number 2! Kyaaa! I got it right!" "Hey, isn't this number 4? Resistance occurs here, blocking the flow of Mana." "Idiot! This is a direct-flow type, why would there be resistance?" "Ack! Ah, I didn't see it was direct-flow!" After each exam ended, students would flock around Mei-rin and other high-achieving students. Simon's ears involuntarily perked up, but he had no time to check his answers. He returned to the library. He had to study. Studying was the only way to survive. Everyone called the exam period hell, but Simon didn't find it so bad. Everyone was focused on a single goal, without caring about anything else. Rising up purely by one's own growth, without harming or hindering anyone else. Simon liked this atmosphere of good-natured competition. And so. "Free-dom-m-m!" The last day's exams, Divine Defense and Martial Arts, were finally over. The moment the bell signaling the end of the exams rang, students universally broke into wide smiles, raising both arms in triumph. Dick, with a quill in his mouth, climbed onto his desk and pulled up his shirt to expose his belly in a celebratory gesture, only to be promptly smacked by Mei-rin. While everyone was writhing in the joy of liberation, Simon quietly leaned back in his chair, savoring the lingering feeling. '…I really did my best.' "Hey, hey. Simon." Mei-rin approached, her hands behind her back. "Did you do well in Summoning Studies? I hope we can keep seeing you at Kizen~" When she asked playfully, Simon sighed. "Honestly, if I could go back a month, I'd punch myself in the head." "Huh?" "Because I realized how thoughtless my words were." To surpass Mei-rin's 85 points in Summoning Studies. He had simply thought he could probably overcome it with about 10 points, but that 10-point difference was unbelievably huge. '…Simon.' Kamibarez looked at Simon with a worried expression. If Mei-rin won and forced Simon's expulsion, she was prepared to beg Mei-rin to prevent such a disaster. Mei-rin was equally flustered. It had started as a playful topic, so why was he taking it so seriously? "You're not… saying you messed up Summoning Studies, are you?" "No." Simon smiled faintly. "Still, the conclusion is that I'll win." "Ah—what!" Mei-rin burst into laughter, and the atmosphere brightened again. As they chatted about where to go and what to eat over the weekend, Dick subtly poked his head in. "Sorry to interrupt your fun, everyone, but there's an important issue. Want to hear it?" "What is it?" Dick glanced around, checking if anyone was listening, then spoke in a hushed voice. "After this weekend, next week, all first-years might be going to an island. Island Survival." At his words, Mei-rin's face hardened seriously, while Simon and Kamibarez exchanged puzzled glances. "What's that?" Dick let out an eerie chuckle and waved his finger. "It's a project where all first-years are dropped on a monster-infested island and have to survive for four days. It's also called the Island Survival Evaluation." "…F-four days?" Kamibarez gasped, rubbing her shoulders. "Once you're on the island, you have to sort out your own food and shelter, and you earn points by hunting monsters. You can even fight other students and steal their points. And of course, in true Kizen fashion, the lowest-ranked students get expelled." "Ah…" While Kamibarez trembled in fear, Simon's eyes sparkled. "What's wrong with you now?" "No, it's just…" Simon couldn't hide the upward curve of his lips as he continued, "Doesn't that sound incredibly fun?" "…Are you serious?" "Yeah. Camping on a deserted island, hunting, surviving monster attacks! Wow, I really love that kind of thing." Simon had a lot of such experiences in the rugged mountains of Reshill. Dick and Kamibarez, on the other hand, wore expressions of utter incomprehension. "But Dick. Is that information reliable?" Mei-rin interjected. "How do you even know Kizen's schedule?" "No, no." Dick waved his hand. "Of course, it's not 100%. It's still in the speculative stage." "Based on what?" "First, the agents are secretly taking out 'Tongpads' from the warehouse." Tongpads were devices students wore on their arms during large-scale practical evaluations like Island Survival. They could be used to check points and other metrics. "And for the past two days, Kizen Headquarters' teleportation team has all moved to the school and is doing large-scale work, and they've brought in a huge amount of magic circle materials from Rochester. Some professors have even booked vacations for next week, right? Why would they suddenly take a vacation when they clearly have classes next week? Doesn't that give you the answer?" Everyone looked surprised by the plausible quality of the information. Dick folded his arms, puffing out his chest. "Heh heh, to make a living in this harsh world, this level of information gathering is basic!" "That's amazing, Dick! How do you know everything that happens at Kizen so well?" As Kamibarez looked at him with admiration, Dick, whose nose had risen, said, "The core information routes are confidential, so I can't really talk about them. But, well, I try to be friendly with all the Kizen agents, you know? Even if they're initially uncomfortable with me, I keep following them around, calling them 'hyung-nim' and 'noona', sometimes giving them pocket money or treating them to meals. And as a Kizen student, I sometimes lend them my name for various things." Simon nodded. Indeed, when he was with Dick, most agents spoke informally to him or treated him very comfortably, despite him being a Kizen student. "Actually, other noble-born kids just think of agents as servants or helpers, they don't really care about them, do they? But agents are actually the source of information." "Yes, yes. You're so great." Mei-rin turned her head and snorted. This time, Simon opened his mouth. "So, if that evaluation is true, what should we prepare?" "Hmm, well. I guess we should just power up our combat abilities like we do for the duel evaluation. Oh, and." Dick slapped his knee. "Survival skills!" "Huh?" "Like building shelters, starting fires, butchering game. Distinguishing edible herbs." The two girls' faces immediately darkened. "Th-that's right. We might have to… eat monsters." Mei-rin, who was always confident, showed signs of sudden distress. Kamibarez also turned pale. "…Can't we just starve for a few days?" "Is that as easy as it sounds? And if you just starve, you won't have the strength to withstand attacks from monsters or other students. You have to eat to survive." The two, having grasped the situation, grew increasingly pale. On the other hand. "…Ah, this is going to be really fun." Simon's face was beaming with delight. The three of them wore expressions of utter incomprehension. "This won't do." Mei-rin said. "I'm going down to Rochester this weekend to eat monster meat right away." Dick chuckled. "What's going to change by eating what's sold on the market? There's a world of difference between chef-prepared dishes and eating it in the field." "Ah, I don't care! At least my palate will change a bit!" "Now that you mention it." Simon spoke, and everyone's attention gathered on him. "Remember that meat soup we had at Professor Hongpeng's cabin a while ago?" "Ah! That! That was so delicious!" "I sometimes think about it too." Simon grinned and said, "She told me it was actually made from monster meat." All three of their eyes widened. "Hey!!" Suddenly, Mei-rin rushed forward, grabbed Simon by the collar, and shook him. "Contact Professor Hongpeng! Please! Ask her to teach us the secret recipe! Professor likes you especially, doesn't she!" She shook Simon frantically, her face pleading. Simon gave a wry smile and said, "I don't know if it'll work, but I'll send her a letter." "R-really?" "Please, Simon!" And then, the very next day. Professor Hongpeng's reply truly arrived.
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